An open letter addressed to Cecil Yates. Are you running for mayor of Fountain Hills? If so, you are required to resign your council position to do so. Will you do that before May 1?

Many letters to the editor have been written pointing out that if you resign after May 1, the council will get to choose your successor instead of having the citizens of this town make that choice. They also suggest that the person to take your seat has already been chosen.

If this is true, it clearly demonstrates the type of politics that the citizenry finds frustrating and disgusting. We are tired of those in power that think they know best and are afraid of letting democracy run its course. Why would you not want the voters to pick their representatives instead of showing contempt and distrust of us to make our own choice? Whose interests are you more concerned with – the voters or yours and your colleagues on the council?

If you follow this path, why should the voters ever trust that it is their interests you will care about, protect and respond to as mayor? Why should anyone vote for you if you make clear that the only interests you care about are yours?

I ask that you do the right and ethical thing and answer all the questions I have raised. Give me a reason to vote for you and do it publicly.